Research and write well-crafted historical essays using evidence from multiple sources.

Units of Study

Year-long Essential Questions

Japan to 1800

What is a just society?

How do societies change?

How can individuals and groups make a difference in the world?

Europe to 1500 and the Crusades

An Age of Ideas in Europe: Renaissance, Reformation and Scientific Revolution

Meso-American Civilizations: Maya, Aztec and Inca

Encounters in the Atlantic World: Exploration and Resistance

Civics and Power: The Individual and Society
(This unit includes an exploration of the foundations of American government, as well as Facing History and Ourselves’ “Choices in Little Rock” unit.)

All eighth grade students complete a range of Common Core-aligned writing assessments, including at least two Document Based Questions (DBQs) and a three to five page research paper with multiple sources and MLA citations.